Add Pennsylvania to the list of states that now sanction mixed martial arts. The UFC and other smaller organizations are now free to stage shows in big markets like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The Ontario Athletic Commission remains Canada's most staunch holdout in sanctioning MMA.

UFC HAILS JUDOKA HERO

Gifted judoka Yoshihiro Akiyama will bring his 12-1 MMA record to the UFC. UFC president Dana White announced the fight club has signed the former K-1 HERO'S fighter. Akiyama will bring some much-needed challengers to the UFC's middleweight division. He is expected to make his UFC debut this summer.

WHEN ONLY GSP WILL DO

Popular U.K. magazine Fighters Only began distributing in Canada and the U.S. this week. The Canadian edition has UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre as the cover story, while the U.S. cover features UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertita.

MAINE-IAC BOXING

Fiveouncesofpain is reporting former UFC heavyweight champ Tim "Maine-iac" Sylvia will take on Ray Mercer in a boxing match. Sylvia, who was dismantled in his last MMA fight by Fedor Emelianenko, will fight Mercer May 30 at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City.

KELLY SEES THE LIGHT

Brit scrapper Paul Kelly is dropping down from welterweight to lightweight. Kelly told Setanta Sports of the move following his decision victory over Troy Mandaloniz last weekend at UFC 95 in London.